Is this a scam? HELP?

Member

Message

helpmeoutguys

Joined: Mar 15, 2007

# Posts: 2

Posted: 03/16/2007 12:14 am

After reading these forums regarding ((company name removed)) et al, and the business of selling an iframe that appears above a search engine results page, we now appear to have the next generation.

The company is now ((company details removed))

They use the MySpace Guardian toolbar, a free download which if you do a search about turns up many criticisms. See for yourself at:

((URL REMOVED))

So, what's the verdict?

[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 03/29/2007 11:59 am ... Reason: There's no reason to get into specifics here ]

(Copy Shortcut)

g1smd

Moderator

Joined: Jul 28, 2002

# Posts: 10057

Website

Posted: 03/16/2007 03:34 am

Its still spam, and a scam.

Avoid.

(Copy Shortcut)

bidangle

Joined: Mar 19, 2007

# Posts: 3

Posted: 03/19/2007 12:09 pm

In theory, the advertising model makes perfect sense. Internet users download a toolbar, either the ((toolbar name removed)), or ((toolbar name removed)), to help simplify the Internet users’ online life. Once either of the toolbars are installed on your computer, the software has the ability to manipulate Internet searches performed through Google, Yahoo, MSN, and about eight other search engines, by placing an I-frame at the top of your browser when a search result is returned for a specific Keyword term or phrase for which they have an advertiser.

We tested three keyword terms over the period of about 3 months; SEM, PPC Management, and Google Adwords. Just through Yahoo alone, there were over 35,000 searches last month for those specific keywords. With a reported network of around 10 million users, you’d figure we’d see some action.

I think where the problem lies is that Internet users are not downloading and using the toolbars. Which is totally understandable, we downloaded the ((toolbar name removed)), on a machine running Windows XP w/ Internet Explorer and couldn’t get the toolbar to even show up. We then downloaded the ((toolbar name removed)), on a brand new machine running Vista, same result. Although we did manage to get the ((toolbar name removed)), on another machine, it was extremely unstable resulting in numerous reboots

((company name removed)) does provide SEP to help their clients achieve some traffic, but this is done to protect their guarantee more than anything else.

Which leads to the other major problem with their business model, they sell this service based on a set guaranteed amount of “unique visitors”, when in fact, they’re calculating and counting “impressions” or “hits”. Seeing that every time your Billboard ad displays, which is actually your website, it returns or counts as a “hit”, which is just an opportunity for someone to visit your site. If you’re selling people unique visitors and giving them impressions or hits, you’re going to run into problems. Not to mentoion it’s unethical, immoral, and flat out wrong.

If they fixed the glitches in the software so it actually worked and they increased their user network, it could be a viable advertising and marketing model for the Internet. However, with various offices scattered throughout the US using various different company names, and using Independent Contractors as employees, I can’t see these changes coming anytime soon!”

[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 03/29/2007 12:02 pm ]

(Copy Shortcut)

garyr

Joined: Mar 29, 2007

# Posts: 1

Posted: 03/29/2007 10:31 am

Wow, this is interesting.

I've been using the ((toolbar name removed)) for 6 months now. Never had a problem with and I suspect, based on the language that Bidangle is not a customer.

I've had a good experience locating predators in my neighborhood with this product and helping others to do the same. If the moderator here calls that a scam, I can only wonder if he ever bothered to even look at the product. If he did, he might remove the foot. The product works fine for me and helps protect other families as well I'm sure. Kudos to the people who give it away to the public.

[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 03/29/2007 12:03 pm ]

(Copy Shortcut)

bidangle

Joined: Mar 19, 2007

# Posts: 3

Posted: 04/03/2007 07:12 pm

The "toolbar" works for locating predators... the marketing and advertising theory behind the "toolbars" does not.

(Copy Shortcut)

animated3d

Joined: Dec 22, 2005

# Posts: 352

Posted: 04/03/2007 08:07 pm

hehe you spammers are so funny try atleast be a little less obvious smile

(Copy Shortcut)

helpmeoutguys

Joined: Mar 15, 2007

# Posts: 2

Posted: 05/06/2007 07:35 am

Funny how "garyr" has only one post in the entire website, and it's this one. can you say "shill"?

This is so typical of this company's tactics...

(Copy Shortcut)

You are not permitted to post messages in this forum or topic, because of one or more of the following reasons:

You have not yet logged in, or registered properly as a member
You are a member, but no longer have posting rights.
This is a private forum, for which you do not have permissions.

If you are a recent member, it's possible that you simply have not yet confirmed your account. Please check your email for a message entitled 'JimWorld Forums: Confirm Your Account' and follow the instructions contained within.

If you cannot find this message, click here to Re-Send it.

If you are still experiencing problem, please read the Login Assistance Article for some advice on what may be causing your login not to work properly.

Switch to Advanced Editor and ... Create a New Topic or Reply to this Thread

SEF